The Influence of Knowledge and Deference toward Scientific Authority: A Media Effects Model for Public Attitudes toward Nanotechnology
Abstract
Previous research suggests both cognitive and affective variables can impact how the public thinks about new scientific developments such as nanotechnology. Most studies have not explored the origins of these variables or their simultaneous, interactive influences on public opinion. Using national telephone survey data (N=706), we examine the pathways between different types of media use and attitudes toward nanotechnology, particularly potential mediating roles of nanotechnology knowledge and deference toward scientific authority. People relying on newspapers and the Internet for science information report higher levels of nanotechnology knowledge, while respondents using science TV showed higher levels of deference toward scientific authority.
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An individual's deference to, and trust in, science is associated with responses to science communication in general.
“An individual's deference to, and trust in, science is associated with responses to science communication in general (e.g., Anderson et al., 2011;Lee and Scheufele, 2006).”
From A review of the effects of uncertainty in public science communication (2020) · cites this paper as Lee and Scheufele, 2006
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- Authors
- Lee, C.-J., & Scheufele, D. A.
- Venue
- Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-12
- Volume
- 83
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 819-834
- ISSN
- 1077-6990 (ISSN-L)
- 2161-430X
- OpenAlex
- W2026798544
- Cited by
- 103
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 5.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Risk Perception and Management
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanotechnology research and applications
- Social Sciences › Communication › Media Studies and Communication
- Keywords
- nanotechnology, public attitudes toward science, scientific authority, deference to experts, scientific knowledge, media influence, science communication, newspapers, science television, internet use, public opinion
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